ALLENTOWN – Four resolutions hiring one person to work multiple positions in Allentown were approved in split votes among Borough Council members during the first meeting of the governing body in 2018.
The resolutions name Ron Gafgen, who is the construction official and zoning officer in neighboring Upper Freehold Township, as Allentown’s code enforcement officer, housing inspector, zoning officer and construction inspector for 2018.
On each of the four resolutions naming Gafgen, Councilman John Elder, who took his seat on the council at the Jan. 2 reorganization meeting, and Councilwoman Johnna Stinemire voted no.
Council President Thomas Fritts, Councilwoman Angela Anthony, Councilman Rob Schmitt and Councilman Robert Strovinsky voted yes, approving Gafgen’s appointment to those four positions in Allentown.
The appointment of Gafgen to those positions has been a topic of discussion among residents and council members during recent meetings.
Some residents said they were pleased with the job that was done by Joseph McGrath, who held the positions of code enforcement officer, housing inspector, zoning officer and construction inspector in 2017, but was not reappointed for 2018.
The discussion restarted after the council members passed the resolutions hiring Gafgen. Resident Jeff Ploshay asked borough officials when McGrath was hired.
Mayor Greg Westfall said McGrath was hired in the summer of 2016 from among a field of three candidates who were interviewed. He said officials were interested in addressing issues regarding vacant and abandoned properties. McGrath worked in Allentown two days each week for a total of four hours.
“Was there disappointment with his performance?” Ploshay asked.
“We can’t talk about that,” Schmitt said.
“We cannot talk about Mr. McGrath’s personnel record here,” Fritts said.
“Or anywhere,” Schmitt added.
Several minutes later, during a dialogue with resident John Fabiano about contracts that Allentown officials award to professionals, Schmitt said, “We weren’t happy with Joe McGrath’s services. We heard from residents.”
Fritts said the details of when Gafgen will be working in Allentown will be determined. He said Upper Freehold “has assured us Mr. Gafgen will do what is necessary in Allentown.”
Westfall said the work week in Upper Freehold is Monday through Thursday. He said Gafgen was initially scheduled to work in Allentown six hours a week, but he said the pending agreement with Upper Freehold does not specify when Gafgen will work in Allentown.
The mayor said Gafgen resigned from similar positions in Allentown 18 months ago.
“He said his plate was full,” Westfall said.
In his final appearance before the council on Dec. 26, McGrath provided a final update on his work in Allentown and told municipal officials he has prepared all of the necessary information for Gafgen to handle those tasks in 2018.
“It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with the borough. I appreciate the opportunity,” McGrath said to applause from residents in attendance.
During public comment, Fabiano told the council members, “Mr. McGrath has done a good job and now we are going to fire him. You have made your deal with the devil and now you have to live with it. Go ahead, go down that path.”
Fritts said shared services between municipalities are encouraged by state officials. He said Allentown will benefit from having an individual available for code enforcement and other services beyond the four hours a week McGrath was working.
“Upper Freehold is a little bit more in line with what we are doing,” he said.